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Crown Prince Naruhito, on the occasion of his 58th birthday on Friday, vowed to "pursue self-improvement" ahead of his accession to the Chrysanthemum throne on May 1, 2019.

Speaking about the emperor's constitutional role as symbol of the state in the upcoming new era, the crown prince said, "I think...what people expect in official duties will change according to social changes and it would be important to respond to new demands."

"I would like to sincerely perform official duties accordingly," he said at a press conference held prior to his birthday, marking the first occasion for him to speak his thoughts in public since the setting last December of his father Emperor Akihito's abdication on April 30 next year and his accession on the following day.

[…]

Crown Prince Naruhito said he believes it would be essential to "stand by the people, listen to their voices, and be close to them in their thoughts," the same phrase the emperor used in the video message in describing his thoughts on his first and foremost duty as an emperor.

[…]

The crown prince said it would be important for him to "continue to look for" a desirable role for the emperor as the symbol of the state while "sharing joys and sorrows with the people and wishing their happiness" and "contemplating" what is stipulated in the Constitution.

He also expressed his desire to have opportunities to interact with citizens as often as possible.

[…]

About his wife, the crown prince said, "I think she will continue to make efforts toward a recovery while taking heed of her health condition," adding, "As for public activities, I want her to build up efforts, performing what she can one by one."

Asked about concerns over the possible dual authority after his accession to the throne, the crown prince said, "It would be natural that the emperor and empress continue to be beloved by many citizens," citing their past sincere approach toward their duties.

[…]

On recent developments, the crown prince said he was amazed by Japanese athletes' performances in the Pyeongchang Olympic Games.

Referring to men's figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu and women's 500-meter speed skating winner Nao Kodaira, the crown prince said, "I could see their deep friendship beyond borders as I watched them express their admiration for each other with long-acquainted overseas athletes."

Getty Images of February 21st press conference and CP Naruhito visiting Imperial Palace for the customary birthday greetings to the Emperor and Empress on February 23rd.

CP Naruhito will travel to Brazil March 16-22 to attend the 8th World Water Forum held in Brasilia. On the way, he will visit schools in Miami, USA on the 17th and the Agriculture Research Center on the outskirts of Brasilia on the 18th. The Crown Prince will speak at the forum's opening ceremony on the 19th and give a keynote address at the "water and disaster" session. A luncheon hosted by Brazilian President Temer and meeting with Japanese immigrants are also scheduled.
Sources: Asahi, Mainichi

NHK reports CP Naruhito is expected to visit 6 prefectures and more than 10 districts this year for annual events and ceremonies. An official visit to France is under consideration to celebrate the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan around autumn.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, both Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako are learning about social issues of interest to them from experts and are working to build their understanding of conditions both domestically and internationally.

In January, in order to become more knowledgeable about the volunteer activities of probation officers supporting juvenile offenders, the couple learned about the current conditions and issues facing the offender rehabilitation system from the head of the Ministry of Justice Rehabilitation Bureau. In February, they also reportedly listened to a lecture about issues regarding the realization of a sustainable society and other information given by the director-general for Global Issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[...] he emphasized that “it is essential to make opportunities to mingle with a lot of people as much as possible,” and expressed his willingness to continue visiting disaster-struck areas with his wife, Crown Princess Masako.

He added that while continuing long-standing traditions, it is another “responsibility of today’s imperial family” to explore duties that reflects society’s evolution.

He also expressed his interest in possible engagements in water and environmental issues that he has been involved with, as well as in promotions of cultural exchanges and friendly international relations.

[...]

Yuji Otabe, professor of Japanese modern history at Shizuoka University of Welfare, analyzed that Naruhito could be thinking to “let the imperial family and Japanese people nurture the idea of ‘emperor as a symbol of the state’ together, through sincere exchanges with the people as individuals.”

On the other hand, Yohei Mori, professor of media history at Seijo University who studies the relationship between the general population and the imperial system, pointed out that what Naruhito is currently thinking remains unclear and vague to the public.

“To build a relationship with the public, he will be required to improve the way he sends out messages to Japanese people and present what he is thinking clearly,” said Mori.

On February 27th, CP Naruhito had his first audience with emergency relief participants at the Togu Palace. This activity with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) was passed down from the Emperor in May 2016.

During the conversation Prince Naruhito warmly recalled his personal meeting with Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev during his first official visit to Japan in April 1994. The future Emperor gave a high appraisal to the results of the visit of the Head of State to Japan in 2016 [...]

The Kazakh Ambassador told Crown Prince Naruhito about the main items of the State-of-the-Nation Address of Nursultan Nazarbayev "New Opportunities of Development Amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution". Speaking about Kazakhstan's course to economic diversification and the decision to cease relying on raw resources, the Japanese Crown Prince said such policy was a forward-looking one.

[...]

The Kazakhstan diplomat also told about the results of the international exhibition EXPO-2017 in Astana and the achievements of Kazakhstan in the fields of education, culture and sport. Crown Prince Naruhito expressed interest in the experience of 20-year development of Astana and the activity of Nazarbayev University.

Emperor Koko initiated construction of Ninnaji, head temple of the Shingon Sect Omuro School, in 886 (Ninna 2). Upon his death, Emperor Uda carried out his predecessor′s will, completing the project in 888 (Ninna 4). Having maintained its deep ties with the successive generations of emperors since that time, Ninnaji has been endowed with an exceptional collection of temple treasures.

[..] The sculptures are by the most accomplished atelier of the day, and the National Treasure Letter in the hand of Emperor Takakura conveys the temple′s deep connections to the imperial court. [...]

This exhibition presents an unprecedented once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the famed treasures of Ninnaji, including the recently restored National Treasure Sanjujo sasshi (Thirty Volumes of Esoteric Scripture) along with various Omuro School temple treasures presented all together under one roof.

This could be the last World Water Forum for CP Naruhito. After he becomes emperor, foreign visits will be based on international goodwill. In January, CP Naruhito invited Toshio Koike, International Director of Water Disaster and Risk Management, to Togu Palace to discuss climate change and the mechanism of heavy rain. Stakeholders are also paying close attention to CP Naruhito's keynote address for clues on his reign. [Mainichi]

The eldest son of Emperor Akihito left from Narita airport and is expected to arrive in Brasilia on Sunday morning after transiting in Miami in the United States.

The 58-year-old prince will visit a local agricultural research facility and meet with Brazilians of Japanese descent in the country on the day he arrives.

He is scheduled to give an address in English at the opening ceremony of the Eighth World Water Forum on Monday and deliver a keynote speech there.

During what the Imperial Household Agency views as a personal trip, the crown prince is also expected to have lunch with Brazilian President Michel Temer. He will leave Brasilia on Tuesday to return to Tokyo on Thursday.

On March 13th, CP Naruhito had discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Water Transport to prepare for the conference . He visited the Emperor and Empress on the 14th and the Imperial Palace’s Three Palace Sanctuaries on the 15th to report his overseas trip.
Source: Sankei Imperial Weekly

[…] Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito found time in his schedule to visit Embrapa Cerrados, some 35 km from the center of Brasília, to watch the projects under development. The visit was a personal request of the prince himself, who had been in the place in 1982. Today, accompanied by Embrapa President Maurício Lopes, he paid a visit to the company’s coffee, soybean, and sugar cane plantations.

“He was really impressed to see robusta coffee in the cerrado. Brazil is widely known as a producer of arabica, but coffee has become increasingly prominent in the country. It’s important as instant coffee, and has high quality and value in the market,” Lopes said after seeing the Japanese prince.
[…]

The Crown Prince then delivered a keynote speech at a panel discussion on water and disasters.

He expressed concern that climate change will trigger increasingly severe torrential rains and droughts. He said socially vulnerable people, such as women and children, are affected most by those disasters. He said the international community must work together to counter global natural threats.